[mythtv-users] HD Architecture Solution

[Bryce Ostenson]

Hello all,

I'm working on my upgrade to HD and have found that selecting the right
technologies to be pretty complex.  I think I've got a good grasp on things
but wanted to run my findings/thinking by people more knowledgeable than
myself.

What I have now:
* A working SD mythTV system (quite happy with it really)
* Enough CPU, hard disk, and memory to do HD (but not capture/video card)
* Combined frontend/backend, and a remote frontend that we can ignore for
now.
* And I've added a Philips 42" LCD 1080p (Specs states it has QAM tuner, no
DVI, no VGA/D-Sub).
* Comcast HD (no HBO/Showtime/etc)
* A Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4250hdc STB

My goal:
* Minimal cost, including both monthly costs and up-front costs.
* Single HD tuner is ok, more are better of course!  Would like to keep my
analog PVR-150 operational as a fall-back tuner.
* Keep it simple - I've spent a lot of time getting my mythTV going so far
and prefer to stick with good, known solutions.
* Would like to be able to record all/most of my HD content from Comcast
(again, no HBO, Showtime, etc).

-- Model 1: Comcast > mythTV > TV (NO STB)

This is my preferred model.

Problem: QAM from Comcast in 55401 seems isolated to local channels.  My
Philips TV wasn't able to decode any of the other HD content (or so it
seemed).  Please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe this means that I
won't be able to use an HDHomerun or other HD tuner cards to decode SciFiHD
and other non-local but non-premium channels.  I think this rules out this
model.

Advantages: Simple.  Would probably use an HDHomeRun and get an upgraded
video card that supports HDMI, DVI or component out.

-- Model 2: Comcast > STB > mythTV > TV

Advantages: Should be able to capture most anything.  Would that include
premium channels (HBO)?

Disadvantages: IR Blaster?  Potential quality loss from component HD
capture?  More complex installation?

Unknowns: Can I even capture digitally from the firewire port on the
4250hdc?  Initial searching doesn't look good.

Hardware must be able to work via LAN (e.g. HDHomerun), a PCI slot (open), a
PCIe x16 slot (in use by my video card), or USB.  I haven't investigated
this.

-- Model 3: OTA HD > mythTV > TV

Advantages: FREE on an ongoing basis.

Disadvantages: Not as many channels; my LCD would be relegated to most HD
content coming from a to-be-purchased Bluray player.

-- Model 4: Comcast DVR or Tivo or non-Myth Box > TV

Advantages: It just works?  Sort of?  Could stick with a simple HDMI cabling
scheme.

Disadvantages: Lesser interface, more limited options, potentially spending
just as much up front.  And likely more on a monthly basis.

Summary:

I guess my main decision points and questions are:
* Is my QAM analysis in model 1 correct?
* Will I be losing quality due to additional conversions to capture from the
STB?  Any anecdotal comments on how much degradation I'll see?

Thanks for your help...  And for making a great solution that I've enjoyed
working with!

Bryce

PS: Sorry for the lengthy email...
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